The International Federation of Football History & Statistics (IFFHS) has revealed the 30-man shortlist for the 2024 Men’s World Best Player award, with Nigeria’s Super Eagles stars Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman earning nominations.

Victor Osimhen, Napoli’s top striker, and Atalanta’s standout forward Ademola Lookman are the only African players to make the prestigious list, leaving out notable names like Mohamed Salah, Victor Boniface, and Brahim Díaz.

Lookman, who has been Atalanta’s standout performer since joining from RB Leipzig, won consecutive Player of the Season honors and made history in the 2024 Europa League final, netting a hat-trick to end Bayer Leverkusen’s incredible 51-match unbeaten streak. On the international scene, both Osimhen and Lookman were instrumental in Nigeria’s 2023 Africa Cup of Nations campaign, with a combined tally of four goals and four assists, helping the Super Eagles reach the final.

They join a star-studded list that includes heavyweights like Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham and Vinícius Júnior, Manchester City’s Erling Haaland and Rodri, Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal, and Kylian Mbappé, all of whom are considered frontrunners for the title.

Other notable names on the shortlist include Bukayo Saka, Phil Foden, Jamal Musiala, Florian Wirtz, Harry Kane, William Saliba, Dani Olmo, Federico Valverde, and Alphonso Davies.

30-Man Shortlist for IFFHS Men’s World Best Player 2024:

1. Victor Osimhen (Napoli)


2. Ademola Lookman (Atalanta)


3. Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid)


4. Vinícius Júnior (Real Madrid)


5. Erling Haaland (Manchester City)


6. Rodri (Manchester City)


7. Lamine Yamal (Barcelona)


8. Dani Olmo (Barcelona)


9. Kylian Mbappé (Paris Saint-Germain)


10. Phil Foden (Manchester City)


11. Bukayo Saka (Arsenal)


12. Jamal Musiala (Bayern Munich)


13. Florian Wirtz (Bayer Leverkusen)


14. Declan Rice (Arsenal)


15. Martin Ødegaard (Arsenal)


16. Harry Kane (Bayern Munich)


17. Cole Palmer (Chelsea)


18. William Saliba (Arsenal)


19. Ruben Dias (Manchester City)


20. Nico Williams (Athletic Bilbao)


21. Toni Kroos (Real Madrid)


22. Dani Carvajal (Real Madrid)


23. Fabian Ruiz (Paris Saint-Germain)


24. Cody Gakpo (Liverpool)


25. Federico Valverde (Real Madrid)


26. Rodrygo (Real Madrid)


27. Lautaro Martínez (Inter Milan)


28. James Rodríguez (São Paulo)


29. Akram Afif (Al-Sadd)


30. Alphonso Davies (Bayern Munich)